Paul McAuliffe
Ceist:471. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined. [16896/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraCovid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment
Ceisteanna (471)
Freagraí scríofa
From the 29/06/2020 the rate of the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) which a person receives depends on their gross weekly employment earnings.
The rate of PUP is based on prior earnings notified to Revenue. It is important to note that my Department can only accept earnings which have been notified to Revenue and subject to PRSI.
According to the records of my Department the last return for the first person concerned was in 2018 (52 A class PRSI contributions) and the last return for the second person concerned was in 2017 (52 S class PRSI contributions). In both cases as no earnings were available as an employee in 2019 or as a self-employed person in 2018, the rate of PUP was reduced to €203 per week.
If the persons concerned wish to pursue a review of their revised weekly PUP payment, it is open to them to contact my Department as outlined below.
Requests for a review of earnings should be emailed to PUPRerate@welfare.ie. The persons concerned should attach all supporting employment documentation in support of their review request to this email. Alternatively, they can write to PUP Rerate Requests, DEASP, Intreo Centre, Cork Road, Waterford, again making sure to include all supporting documentation.
Their cases can then be examined and any necessary follow up action taken.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Ceisteanna (472)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:472. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if consideration has been given to providing financial support to recent graduates who plan on entering the workforce at this time having completed their education and who cannot do so due to Covid-19 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16933/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Graduates who complete their education may apply for a jobseeker's payment if they are unable to obtain employment.
Jobseekers benefit is an income support, for people who satisfy the conditions of the scheme including the requirement to have a certain number of paid social insurance contributions; they must have suffered a substantial loss of employment and are available for full time employment. Where a person does not qualify for jobseekers benefit they may apply for the means tested jobseekers allowance.
Any person who is experiencing financial hardship may be eligible for financial support under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme subject to satisfying the conditions of the scheme which includes a means test. Further information on the supports available are provided on www.gov.ie.
I trust this clarifies the position.
Social Welfare Appeals
Ceisteanna (473)
Patricia Ryan
Ceist:473. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons waiting on an oral hearing for social welfare appeals; the steps being taken to reduce same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16957/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that there are currently 6,669 appeals at various stages of the appeals process. Under Article 13 of the Social Welfare (Appeals) Regulations, 1998 (S.I. 108/1998), if an Appeals Officer is of the opinion that the case is of such a nature that it can be properly determined without a hearing, the appeal may be determined summarily.
I am advised by the Chief Appeals Officer that, due to the current Covid-19 restrictions, in person oral appeal hearings have been suspended since 13 March 2020. The resumption of oral hearings will be kept under review in light of government advice on easing restrictions. However, appeals work continues and appeals are currently being determined on the basis of written submissions. In some cases it has also been possible for Appeals Officers to progress appeals by way of telephone calls and email on issues relating to an appeal (which might otherwise have been ascertained in the course of an oral hearing) and bring the matter to a conclusion.
The Chief Appeals Officer has also advised that the Office is exploring the use of video technology for appeal hearings. Among the issues being considered are what is the most appropriate technological solution and the types of appeal cases that would be potentially suitable for this approach. Any future use of video technology would need to ensure the maintenance of fair procedures, confidentiality and data protection.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Offices
Ceisteanna (474)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:474. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to provide a wider range of services to persons in western areas of Connemara from the social welfare office in Clifden, County Galway to ensure that persons in the area do not have to travel unnecessarily to Galway for services thus reducing carbon emissions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17054/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Intreo Centres (ICs) are a single point of contact for all employment and income supports. The Centres are designed to provide a streamlined approach, offering practical, tailored employment services and supports for jobseekers.
The range of services provided by Clifden IC are similar to those provided by ICs nationally including those provided by Galway IC.
In the interests of continuing to observe the current public health advice in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic and to safeguard both customers and staff, my Department reduced the Intreo Centres’ public opening hours. These are emergency temporary measures and our opening hours are being kept under review.
Clifden IC is currently open to the public on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings and closed on Wednesday. However, staff are always available to provide assistance over the phone or through email at Clifden@welfare.ie.
On-line services are also available through the easy to use online portal www.mywelfare.ie to customers who wish to apply for income supports and / or obtain information on the services provided by my Department.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Departmental Staff
Ceisteanna (475)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:475. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of staff located in the Clifden, Connemara, County Galway office by grade; the number of unfilled vacancies in the office by grade; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17055/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department, like all Government departments and agencies is required to operate within a staff ceiling figure and a commensurate administrative staffing budget.
The staffing needs for all areas within the Department are continuously reviewed, taking account of workloads, management priorities and the ongoing need to respond to new demands across a wide range of services. This is to ensure that the best use is made of available resources with a view to providing an efficient service to those who rely on the schemes operated by the Department.
The table below details the number of staff located in my Department’s office in Clifden as at the end of June. The figures for fulltime equivalents (FTE) takes account of staff that avail of work-share options. There is currently one approved vacancy at the Clerical Officer grade in the Clifden office which my Department is in the process of filling.
Serving Staff – End June 2020
|
Grade |
FTE |
Staff Count |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
2.00 |
2 |
|
Executive Officer |
2.40 |
3 |
|
Clerical Officer |
2.80 |
3 |
|
Grand Total |
7.20 |
8 |
Departmental Reports
Ceisteanna (476)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:476. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the work that has been carried out on implementing the Duffy Cahill report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17075/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Duffy-Cahill Report, which was commissioned by the Government in the aftermath of the Clery’s closure, highlighted how the issues raised by that event and the subsequent legal cases are highly complex.
The Duffy-Cahill Report was sent to the Company Law Review Group (CLRG) in 2016 for its consideration as part of the work of that group in advising the Minister for Business Enterprise and Innovation on any changes that it considered necessary with respect to the protection of employees and unsecured creditors. (The CLRG is a statutory body comprising members drawn from regulatory, legal, business and employee interests).
The CLRG, as part of its deliberations, also considered related amendments proposed by Deputy Nash (then Senator Nash) to the Companies (Accounting) Bill in April/May 2017.
The CLRG's ‘Report on the Protection of Employees and Unsecured Creditors’ was presented to the Minister for Business Enterprise and Innovation in June 2017 and published on the website of the CLRG. It did not include the implementation of the Duffy-Cahill Report or the Senator Nash proposals in its recommendations.
It is clear that the implementation of the recommendations in the Duffy-Cahill Report give rise to a host of complex issues and that any proposal to progress them would require further careful consideration involving consultation with many stakeholders.
There is a commitment in the Programme for Government to review the Companies Acts with a view to addressing the practice of trading entities splitting their operations between trading and property, with the result that the trading business goes into insolvency and the assets are taken out of the original business.
Company law matters are the responsibility of the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Question No. 477 answered with Question No. 467.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Ceisteanna (478)
Cian O'Callaghan
Ceist:478. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if there is a difference in the rate of pandemic payments for self-employment persons under 66 years of age and for those over 66 years of age; if so, the reason; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17160/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
People aged 66 years and over are provided for within the Social Protection income support framework through the State Pension, either the contributory State pension based on PRSI contributions or the non-contributory means tested pension. The maximum weekly rate of payment for a person in receipt of the State Contributory pension in a two person household with an adult dependent who is over 66 years is €470.80. The maximum rate of payment for the non-contributory pension for a two person household is €393.60.
People aged 66 and over may also be entitled to a range of ancillary supports that are aligned to the particular circumstances of older people. These include free travel, fuel allowance, household benefits package (gas/electricity) and living alone allowance.
The pandemic unemployment payment is payable to people aged 18 to 66 years which is consistent with other income supports payable to the working age. A two-level payment structure to link the pandemic unemployment payment to gross prior earnings or income has been introduced. Where a recipient's gross weekly earnings were €200 or higher their weekly rate of payment remains at €350, which is aligned to the jobseekers payment for a two person household. If their gross weekly earnings were under €200 the rate of the pandemic unemployment payment was adjusted to €203, which is aligned to the maximum personal rate of jobseekers.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Energy Efficiency
Ceisteanna (479)
Cian O'Callaghan
Ceist:479. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to delays for recipients receiving free credits for their electricity from a supplier (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17161/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department has not received reports of delays in the application of credits to the accounts of customers with the energy supplier identified by the Deputy.
I understand the Deputy has been in contact with the person concerned to ascertain required information to allow my Department to examine the matter. Once this information, including the person's name and PPSN, is received from the Deputy, my Department will investigate the matter without delay.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Question No. 480 answered with Question No. 443.
Invalidity Pension
Ceisteanna (481)
Seán Sherlock
Ceist:481. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the review of an invalidity pension application by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [17345/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Invalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and for no other reason and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
A claim for IP was received from the lady concerned on 21 February 2020. The claim was refused on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. She was notified on 12 May 2020 of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right of review and appeal.
The person concerned requested a review and lodged an appeal of the decision and submitted further evidence in support of her request. Following a review of all the information available the deciding officer is satisfied that the conditions for the scheme are satisfied.
The lady referred to has been awarded IP with effect from 27 February 2020. Payment will issue to her nominated post office on 30 July 2020. Any arrears due from 27 February to 29 July 2020 (less any overlapping social welfare payment) will issue in due course. The lady in question was notified of this decision on 17 July 2020.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy
Community Services Programme
Ceisteanna (482)
Joe Carey
Ceist:482. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the report on the review of the community services programme will be released; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17346/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
This parliamentary question should have been addressed to me in my role as the Minister for Rural, Community Development and the Islands.
Indecon International Economic Consultants were commissioned by the then Department of Rural and Community Development to carry out an independent review of the Community Services Programme. I am advised that the final report was received in February last and will be published following full consideration by the Department of the recommendations outlined in the report.
State Pension (Contributory)
Ceisteanna (483)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:483. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry for a State pension (contributory); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17371/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person concerned reached pension age on 30 June 2020. According to the records of my Department, they have a total of 1,940 qualifying paid and credited Irish contributions which equates to a yearly average of 41 contributions. This gives an entitlement to a standard State pension (contributory) at 98% of the maximum rate. They are also eligible for fuel allowance (payable during winter months), living alone increase and telephone support allowance. They were notified in writing of this decision and arrears due on 16 July 2020.
Since the person concerned has had periods of employment in the UK, Belgium and the Netherlands, their pension entitlement to a pro rata State pension (contributory) is under investigation, based on a combination of their Irish insurance record with their insurance records in other countries. Upon receipt of the relevant information from the UK, Belgian and Dutch pension authorities, the person’s pension entitlement will be reviewed and they will be notified in writing of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Public Services Card
Ceisteanna (484)
Cormac Devlin
Ceist:484. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when appointments for public services cards will resume subject to public health advice; her plans to move the process online; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17431/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The SAFE registration process, which my Department uses to authenticate a person's identity, is a face to face process which results in the issuing of a Public Services Card (PSC).
At the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, my Department temporarily postponed the SAFE registration process. This decision was taken to comply with HSE and WHO guidelines in respect of social distancing.
My Department is currently resuming SAFE registration work in Intreo Centres and this will be done in accordance with all relevant guidelines to ensure the health and safety of the Department's customers and staff. I would expect that SAFE registrations will re-commence nationwide over the coming weeks and further information will then be made available as to how appointments can be arranged.
My Department has no plans at present to provide an online SAFE registration service. However, it is planning to introduce an online service to allow a person who already has a PSC to renew their Card, where it is due to expire. I expect to progress this work over the coming months.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
National Broadband Plan
Ceisteanna (485)
Patricia Ryan
Ceist:485. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the 300 high-speed internet hubs announced under the National Broadband Plan on 19 November 2019 will be delivered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16952/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) contract was signed with National Broadband Ireland (NBI) in November 2019 to roll out a high-speed and future-proofed broadband network to almost 540,000 premises across the State.
Among the first premises to be connected under the NBP are approximately 300 Broadband Connection Points (BCPs). Each site will be provided with a wireless high speed broadband connection which will make free on-site internet connectivity available to the public. Site owners have volunteered their premises to host public BCP services, thus supporting their communities and ensuring they get a head start on rural connectivity.
The planned BCP locations are listed by county on NBI's website at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/. These sites have been carefully selected by Local Authorities, in consultation with local communities and site owners, so that they can provide free public Wi-Fi to support residents of rural communities likely to wait longest for a connection under the fully NBP deployment. It should be noted that some BCP sites may change over time as commercial connectivity becomes more widespread and as the circumstances at each site change.
To date, more than 70 BCPs across the country have been provided with an initial backhaul connection by National Broadband Ireland. Over the coming weeks, Vodafone, as the internet service provider, will also begin installing their public access equipment at each site which will enable the BCPs to “go live”.
It is envisaged that all Broadband Connection Points will be connected to provide public Wi-Fi internet access within the next twelve months.
CLÁR Programme
Ceisteanna (486)
Marian Harkin
Ceist:486. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans to allocate funding for playgrounds under the CLÁR scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16990/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The CLÁR programme provides funding for small scale infrastructure projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population. The 2020 CLÁR programme, which was launched on 25th May last, has been tailored to help rural communities respond to COVID-19.
The Measure which previously funded the enhancement and development of playgrounds has received significant funding from my Department in recent years. Given the changed focus of the Scheme in 2020, this Measure has been replaced with the introduction of a new Measure for Community Recreation Areas where friends and families can socialise outdoors in safe, accessible, community spaces. This Measure will include support for items such as picnic benches/tables, outdoor covered seating or BBQ areas, public lighting, bicycle stands, and bandstand/stage areas. Play areas may form a part of these recreational areas but it is expected that projects will have a broader focus on safe community recreational and meeting spaces.
Details of the 2020 CLÁR programme are available on the Gov.ie website at: https://www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/91ba52-clar/#2020-clar-measures.
Ministerial Advisers
Ceisteanna (487)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:487. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of advisers and special advisers appointed by her since becoming Minister; the starting annual salary of each person appointed by her; if an open interview process was conducted for each appointee; the duration and terms of each contract issued to each adviser and special adviser; and if an advisory role has been split to facilitate job sharing, in tabular form. [16569/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
On the commencement of every Dáil, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform issues guidelines setting out the arrangements for the staffing of Ministerial Offices. The Guidelines for the 33rd Dáil are currently awaiting Government approval.
It should be noted that the appointment of individual Special Advisers is a matter for each Government Minister subject to the terms set out in the aforementioned guidelines, although the appointments are also subject to formal Government approval. At this stage, no Special Advisers have been formally appointed to my Department by the Government. However, the Deputy may wish to note that I have assigned two Special Advisers, to work with me, a Special Adviser on policy, and a Press Adviser, said persons will be formally appointed by the Government once the Guidelines have been approved.
Dormant Accounts Fund
Ceisteanna (488)
Jackie Cahill
Ceist:488. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the way in which rural parishes and church organisations can access funds from the dormant accounts fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16727/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 2020 Dormant Accounts Fund Action Plan approved funding for 43 measures across 9 departments, up to a total of €45.5 million. The Department of Rural and Community Development has responsibility for the overall administration of the Dormant Accounts Fund, with each individual Departments responsible for the delivery and administration of their own measures. All measures funded must be in line with the objectives set out in the legislation, that is, measures that address economic, social or educational disadvantage or support persons with a disability.
Within my own Department the total voted allocation for Dormant Account measures in 2020 is €12.570 million. This supports measures including Supports for Social Enterprise, Senior Alerts Scheme and Supports for Volunteering. There is no specific measure in place for funding rural parishes and church organisations, however, the measures being delivered provide supports for individuals, groups and communities right across the country, in line with the objectives set out in the legislation. I would note that many schemes operated by my Department provide supports for rural areas and communities, and specific schemes such as the Community Enhancement Programme can provide small capital grants for facilities in both rural and urban areas to local voluntary and community organisations.
Departmental Contracts
Ceisteanna (489)
Maurice Quinlivan
Ceist:489. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the value of contracts awarded to a company (details supplied) and its subsidiaries by her Department and each body and local authority under her remit from 1 January 2016 to 14 July 2020, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16840/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can confirm that my Department did not award contracts to Aramark during the timeframe in question.
However, Pobal, an agency under my Department's remit, had contracts during the timeframe totalling €2,486.01 at external locations where Aramark held those contracts.
Departmental Correspondence
Ceisteanna (490, 514)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:490. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a copy of correspondence delivered to a person (details supplied) in relation to the possible prosecution of another person on grounds of animal cruelty or relating to other matters relevant to such a prosecution mentioned in correspondence between his Department and the person will be provided. [16918/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraPaul Murphy
Ceist:514. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if copies of all correspondence will be provided between his officials and a person (details supplied) relating to the possible prosecution of another person for animal cruelty. [16919/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 490 and 514 together.
A letter from a member of the public addressed to Minister Humphreys (dated January 22nd) was received in DAFM on 24th January, and was passed to the appropriate senior line manager for consideration. It was passed to the Department without any representations, notation or any other contact from Minister Humphreys. Once received the letter was passed to relevant officials for consideration, without any instruction or direction. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) cannot make the letter publically available for Data Protection reasons.
Records of correspondence between the Secretary General and DAFM officials related to the possible prosecution are attached to this reply. These records have been redacted in line with provisions under the Freedom of Information Act 2014.
I can confirm that the decision taken to withdraw the prosecution in this case was taken by the relevant officials having regard to the full and individual circumstances of this case. It is important to clarify that Prosecutors are not legally compelled to pursue all prosecution cases to a final conclusion in the courts. Occasionally, there may be instances where the facts of a case are such that proceeding with a prosecution may not be considered desirable, appropriate or justifiable.
Prosecution cases can be withdrawn for a variety of reasons. For example, decisions can be made to withdraw prosecutions based on legal advice, or as a result of a changes in circumstances or personnel of a business or the operator of a business, or because of a satisfactory resolution of the original issues that were the subject of the prosecution or, where appropriate, on humanitarian or compassionate grounds.
It is entirely a matter for DAFM to decide when it is and when it is not appropriate to proceed with a prosecution against an individual. My Department takes its prosecutorial functions very seriously and exercises prudent and careful judgement in deciding how best to manage prosecutions.